MOL Hungarian Cup: Country's oldest knockout tournament gains new impetus

The naming rights of the prestigious and popular men's Hungarian Cup, launched 111 years ago in 1909, have been awarded to the MOL oil and gas company, one of Hungarian sports' biggest supporters, for five years from the 2020/2021 season. The competition has a new, refreshed image, and the excitement in each match will be further enabled by the redesigned, single-match knockout format. The two best cup teams, i.e. the finalists, will compete head-to-head for the MOL Hungarian Cup in the largest stadium in the country during the spring of 2021 and, as has been the case in recent years, the winning team will represent Hungary in the UEFA Europa League in 2021/22.

“Thanks to the naming sponsorship from MOL, one of the largest and most successful companies in the country and the region, the men's Hungarian Cup is being taken to a higher level. Just as the oil company is present right across Hungary, the Hungarian Cup is a competition in which all our country's regions are represented. Year after year, the best amateur teams prove that they can compete in a single match in the Cup, even against top clubs. In smaller towns and villages, each cup round is a special occasion, as is the final, which is a real celebration of Hungarian football, especially given that it's played on the Puskás Arena's grass surface”, commented Dr Sándor Csányi, President of MLSZ, who last handed over the famous trophy to 2020 Hungarian Cup winners Budapest Honvéd last month on 3rd June.

As the Hungarian Cup new naming sponsor, MOL's involvement will give new impetus to the long-standing and popular tournament, which will receive an image overhaul in autumn which will further emphasise its prestige and core values. Fans will see the new image all over the country, a new Hungarian Cup anthem will be played before each match, and followers will be able to read the latest news and information online on a website which focuses only on the cup.

Zsolt Hernádi, President and CEO of MOL Group, commented on the naming sponsorship partnership as follows:

“Hungarian sporting life has always enjoyed special attention from us. Our goal is to bring MOL closer to the people and supporting sport is one of the most effective tools to achieve this, because commitment to sport can move the masses. MOL is present in all aspects of Hungarian sports, from embracing young talent to supporting professional athletes, to regularly helping local sports associations and communities. That is why we are now entering into another cooperation with the MLSZ; to give fresh impetus to the Hungarian Cup".